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Projects 1954 F100 Project

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Flat Ernie, Jan 20, 2015.

  1. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    Got a great deal on a 1954 F100 a couple years ago - very solid body with only very minor rust in cab corners, a worked-hard bed, and a semi-stuck y-block. I had every intention of freeing up the y-block and getting it running as-is. The truck had been sitting for about 20 years in a pole barn supposedly.
    IMAG0091.jpg
    I did get the y-block unstuck, but it had zero compression. Like, with the plugs in I could turn the crank by hand. Nothing. So, I continued to collect parts slowly and contemplated what I wanted to do with it.

    This spring, I totaled my late-model Ranger. I had been driving my little beater Escort, but it dropped a valve seat at 191,000 miles in November. So, guess what got put to the front of the line? The F100 - needed a vehicle, preferably a truck, so that's what I did. I was going to try to do this as quickly and inexpensively as I could - that meant using everything I could out of my collection of junk. I had lots of things - I still had to buy lots of stuff too. But I had a previously known good 302 out of an '89 Mustang GT already converted to carb/duraspark and a supposedly rebuilt AOD.

    It all went in with some trans-dapt mounts I had to modify - ugly, but functional. I did spring for a new gas tank, radiator, brakes from M/C out to drums including all lines/hoses, and wiring harness. Between my stash, my dad's stash, eBay, and Craigslist, I have just about got this thing on the road. It's late model, but at least I put some old cal custom valve covers on and screwed an extra moon disc on my air filter top!! Haha! This is going to be a daily driver, so I wasn't overly focused on period correct.
    IMG_20141204_141314.jpg
    I had a brand new set of VDO classic gauges from about 10-15 years ago, so I yanked out the stock cluster, got rid of the broken gauges, removed the glass, replaced it with some plate, laid out the gauges, cut holes, and basically fabricated a new cluster - came out pretty good for a driver.
    IMG_20150114_092134.jpg
    Had an Old-Aire heater/AC unit from another project of my dad's. It's in there - AC not hooked up yet, but I'm set up for it (mounted the condensor) too. Peel for deadener in the cab, foil/bubble insulation in the cab, rewired the whole thing, and had to re-do some of the farmer engineering along the way.

    Found an aluminum tool chest - just the kind you set in the truck with handles, but it was narrow enough to fit in the old bed, so mouted it with some angle. PT 3/4" exterior plywood to cover the rotted out bed floor. Mounted a late-model hoist type spare tire carrier and fabricated a linkage to actuate it. Dozens and dozens of little projects here and there. Worked the last two weeks of Nov and first week of Dec before I had to quit for work & holidays - been back on it a week not.
    IMG_20150120_191820.jpg
    First start was Sat. I pulled the plugs and the fuses for the fuel pump & ignition and spun it over to get oil pressure up. Once that was done, I put the fuse in for the fuel pump and checked for leaks and primed the carb. Checked the accelerator pump was working, then put the ignition fuse in and hit the button - it didn't even turn over a complete revolution before firing right off and settling into a nice idle (open headers still). I let it run a bit, then shut it down to check for leaks and chafing.

    Sun morning was first drive - just around the block and then leak/chafing checks. Did OK. I ended up rebuilding the drag link and greasing the whole front end after replacing all the front wheel bearings and seals too. But first real drive had to wait until today.

    Got an issue with the AOD (see my other thread), but otherwise, it runs good, gauges seem accurate, rides pretty damn good for a 60 year old truck!! I've got a seat out of a later model Silverado - power and all - fold down console 60/40 bench. I haven't decided to mount that just yet, but I do remember what I don't like about those old benches. ;)

    All in all, I'm making good progress. If I can sort out the AOD and find a muffler place that wants my dollars tomorrow, I'll be on the road!! Make no mistake, there's still a LOT of work to be done, but it's beyond the min-safe stage and ready to be used!!
     
  2. SicSpeed
    Joined: Apr 23, 2014
    Posts: 656

    SicSpeed
    Member
    from Idaho

    Thats a quick turnaround. Truck looks pretty straight. Should make the perfect driver. I'm doing my 3rd F100, this one is a 56. I have a large stash of parts so I'm using what I have to build a reliable everyday driver also.


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App
     
  3. AnimalAin
    Joined: Jul 20, 2002
    Posts: 3,416

    AnimalAin
    Member

  4. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    Ended up with a new AOD in the crate from Ford for cheap (well, relatively). Got that in, lots of other little stuff done too. First real drive today - 15-20 miles or so, including a few miles on the interstate. Strong, smooth, quiet (too quiet - I can hear all the rattles now), and runs cool with great oil pressure.

    Tomorrow's to-do list includes another leak check and a good visual rub/chafe check for lines/hoses/tubes/wires. Get the hood back on. Bleed the brakes a little more (some sponginess and slight pull). Then load it up and hit the road on a 120 mile trip back to my place!! I may buzz around town a little in the morning to gain a little more confidence, but otherwise...I'm going. ;)

    Nothing picture worthy...mostly just piddly crap. My interior is still very unfinished - all in roofing sound deadener and bubble foil insulation. I bolted the stock seat back in - I'll build a new base for the Silverado 60/40 I've got, but I want to build it with under-seat storage, so it's going to wait. Also plan to build an overhead console before I finish the interior out...and maybe a center console/drink holder - we'll see on that one.

    Looking for ideas for under-dash vents that are cool, heavy chrome, 50s type stuff. Somewhere, I have some vents from an early 50s Caddy (I think) that might work, but no idea where they are...open to ideas though. ;)
     

  5. What's not to like about these old trucks?

    Looks good. HRP

    [​IMG]
     
  6. SicSpeed
    Joined: Apr 23, 2014
    Posts: 656

    SicSpeed
    Member
    from Idaho

    Glad the trans problem is behind you. Enjoy the trip
     
  7. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    OK, caution to the wind. Hopped in without so much as a drive around town and put 175 miles on it - most of them in the dark - with no tools! ;)

    Only issue so far is gas gauge accuracy - it's in my favor, so that's a bonus, but 1/4 tank on the gauge means I still have half a tank left! Gotta tweak that arm some more...fortunately, haven't put the interior in so getting to the sending unit is pretty easy.
     
  8. Good so far! Glad you got the trans figured out, even though at the cost of new crate trans. You can fix the simple stuff now at home; and get the A/C and interior fixed up.
     
  9. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    Terry, I basically got the crate trans at half dealer price, so even though it was expensive, it was a good deal...
     
  10. okiedokie
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 4,778

    okiedokie
    Member
    from Ok

    Two things I would really hate to be without. 100_8572.JPG
     
    Paul B likes this.
  11. conormulroney
    Joined: Mar 30, 2006
    Posts: 293

    conormulroney
    Member

    lined up CHRR.jpg Mine doesn't look a whole lot better than yours, but it has been my daily for 15 years.
     
  12. deucetruck
    Joined: Jan 8, 2010
    Posts: 727

    deucetruck
    Member
    from Missouri

    Nice picture Okie!! Love them both. Green country gang, is that near Owasso/Collinsville?
     
  13. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

    Okie - coincidentally, I have a deep burgundy 40 coupe too. ;)
     

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